Uffie
Uffie performing in Barcelona, Spain in 2007
Background information
Birth name	Anna-Catherine Hartley
Born	(1987-12-09) December 9, 1987 (age 24) Miami, Florida, United States
Genres	Acid house,[1] nu-disco,[2] electropop,[3] alternative dance,[4] synthpop,[5] electro hop[6]
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, rapper, DJ, fashion designer
Instruments	Vocals, keyboards
Years active	2005–present
Labels	Arcade Mode, Ed Banger, Because, Elektra
Associated acts	Feadz, Mr. Oizo, SebastiAn, Justice, Busy P, Mirwais, Crystal Castles, Sky Ferreira, Pharrell Williams, Steve Aoki, Lou Reed, Kissy Sell Out, Beastie Boys
Website	www.uffie.tv

Anna-Catherine Hartley (born December 9, 1987), better known by her stage name Uffie (/ˈʌfiː/), is a Paris-based underground^[7] electronic musician, rapper, fashion designer and socialite signed to French electronic music record label Ed Banger Records. She has been described as a muse for French DJs,^[8] and is known for working with her labelmates and friends, Feadz, Mr. Oizo and SebastiAn, as well as producer Mirwais. She was briefly married to French graffiti artist André Saraiva during 2008–09.

She is perhaps best known for her single "Pop the Glock", as well as "Tthhee Ppaarrttyy", her 2007 collaboration with labelmates Justice. Her recent live performances have been described as Warholian.^[8][9]

In 2010, Uffie released her debut album Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans,^[10] which was included on Drowned in Sound's 50 best albums of the year^[11] and was nominated in the French Victoires de la Musique for Best Electronic Album.^[12][13] Also in 2010, Uffie celebrated the release of her 12-piece capsule collection with clothing brand, Diesel.^[14]

Biography[link]

Uffie was born Anna-Catherine Hartley in Miami, Florida,^[4] but moved to Hong Kong with her family at the age of four. She lived in Hong Kong for most of her childhood, and was greatly influenced by the city.^[15] Uffie's name comes from the French words Un Oeuf (which means "an egg"), a nickname her father gave her as a child for being rebellious.^{[16][clarification needed]} In her teens Hartley moved with her mother to Fort Lauderdale and then to Miami where she was arrested for vandalism at the age of 15, her mother then sent her to Paris to live with her father.

Hartley studied fashion in Paris and attended the International School of Paris near the famous Rue de Passy. In 2005 Uffie booked DJ Feadz for a party she was organizing, and the two began a relationship shortly after. Feadz constantly pressured Uffie to provide vocals for some of his tracks and finally in late 2005 Uffie wrote "Pop the Glock" and released it as a Myspace demo. Record label Arcade Mode gave the song a limited promo release in January 2006 with the B-side "Ready to Uff" which Feadz's labelmate Mr. Oizo produced. Soon after the release Uffie was signed to the French electronic music label Ed Banger Records by Busy P. In a 2008 interview, Uffie explained her relationship status. She and Feadz had broken up earlier that year. Uffie then began dating graffiti artist/photographer André Saraiva and the two were married in August 2008. The couple divorced in the summer of 2009, before the birth of their daughter Henrietta^[17] in October 2009. She took a brief hiatus from work, which gave her time to find herself and mature as an artist^[18] and finally finish her full-length debut album, Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans.^[10]

Career[link]

Uffie, 2007

2005–2008: Early years[link]

In early 2005, DJ Feadz, who was Uffie's boyfriend at the time convinced her to provide vocals on his track "Uffie & Me" for his EP Forward 4, which was when she began to develop an interest in making music. Later that year she wrote and recorded "Pop the Glock", which was produced by Feadz and began to shop the demo around to various record labels. "Pop the Glock" became her first single and was given a limited promo release on Arcade Mode in January 2006. Busy P, the owner of Ed Banger Records, heard the single and quickly signed both Uffie and Feadz to the label. "Pop the Glock" and its B-side "Ready to Uff" were both given an official release titled Pop the Glock/Ready to Uff on February 27, 2006 through Ed Banger Records. Both songs contained elements of electro and rap. The release also featured a remix by SebastiAn.^[19]

In February 2007, the song "Dismissed" was included on Ed Rec Vol. 2, an Ed Banger Records label compilation. Two more new tracks from Uffie, "Hot Chick" and "In Charge" were first proliferated through audioblogs in July 2006.^{[citation needed]} Then in November, they were released together on her EP Hot Chick/In Charge on Ed Banger Records. In June 2007, the EP, Suited and Looted was released by Ed Banger Records. The release included the single "First Love" and "Brand New Car". Electronic duo Crystal Castles featured vocals sampled from Uffie on the track "Make It Hott", although it was never officially released, it can be found through various audioblogs. Also in 2007, Uffie collaborated with labelmates Justice for their debut album, †, on the song "Tthhee Ppaarrttyy".^[20]

Uffie contributed the song "Robot Oeuf" to the compilation Ed Rec Vol. 3, released on May 26, 2008. It was also included in the soundtrack to Pedro Almodóvar's 2009 film Broken Embraces, starring Penélope Cruz.^[21] In late 2008, she worked with Mr. Oizo on the track "Steroids", which was released on Mr. Oizo's album Lambs Anger. A remix of "Steroids" was also included on Mr. Oizo's 2009 EP Pourriture.

Her music style has been described as being "often performed in a wannabe English accent" with "a deliberately staid anti-flow delivery that walks a fine line between electro and nu-skool rap."^[22]

2009: Hiatus and album news[link]

Her record label Ed Banger Records first stated in late 2006 that her debut album would be released mid-to-late 2007, then sometime in 2008.^[15] Her debut album, titled Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans, was released June 15, 2010 in Europe and June 22, 2010 in the United States.

There was a contract-conflict between Uffie and Lou Reed as to who would be credited as the writer of the title track "Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans". The song uses an instrumental sample of The Velvet Underground's 1970 song "Rock & Roll" and the only way Lou Reed would allow her to use the sample was by receiving the credit as the writer of the song as well. This dispute delayed the album by about six months and Uffie notoriously labeled Lou Reed as "fucking difficult"^[23] and when asked if he had heard the song, she stated, "Yes he has, he had to clear it. And it was a very not nice experience dealing with him, I have to say. I don't know what this guy's problem is but on the credits I think it even says something like he wrote it. He gets everything."^[24]

The video was shot on the set of the Academy Award-winning 1997 film Boogie Nights^[25] and was directed by Nathalie Canguilhem. It debuted on the internet in October.^[26] Soon after the music video release, "Pop the Glock" was re-released as an EP on November 30, 2009 as promotion for her then-upcoming album, reaching number 89 in France.^[27] The new release includes three remixes from highly acclaimed producers Mirwais, Felix da Housecat and Ellen Allien.^[28] After all this hype, British newspaper The Guardian featured Uffie as "new band of the day" on October 8, 2009 and announced that Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans would be officially released in the spring of 2010 and that she had covered a version of Siouxsie and the Banshees' 1978 song "Hong Kong Garden", which was included on the album.^[29]

[edit] 2010–present: Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans

Uffie confirmed through her official Facebook page that Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans would be released on June 15, 2010 in Europe by Ed Banger Records.^[30] It was also confirmed in early April 2010 that Uffie had signed with major label Elektra Records to distribute her work internationally who released Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans on June 22, 2010.^[30]

Uffie and Mr. Oizo teamed up once again on "MCs Can Kiss", the first single from Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans. The single was released digitally on January 12, 2010 and was officially released as a 12" vinyl on February 1, 2010 through Ed Banger Records.^[31] "MC's Can Kiss" received overwhelmingly positive reviews describing it as "an old school soundclash of heavy beats and sharp rhymes" and "shows off the French-American's ballsy schtick to full effect."^[32] "MCs Can Kiss" peaked at number 97 on the French Singles Chart.^[27] A remix of "MC's Can Kiss" from the Beastie Boys member Mike D became available online March 11, 2010, as a free download from Uffie's website.^[33]

During an interview on February 12, 2010 on BBC Radio 1's Kissy Sell Out Radio Show, Uffie premiered a new track called "Illusion of Love". Uffie produced this track along with Mirwais, being the first song Uffie ever produced. The song features guest vocals from Mattie Safer, formerly of the band The Rapture. Uffie explained that "Illusion of Love" is much more mature than her previous work and is by far the slowest track she has ever made.^[34] Also instead of rapping, Uffie sings on the track which is described as "'Ray of Light' by Madonna on acid" and filled with "all sorts of electro goodness."

On April 15, 2010, "ADD SUV" premiered on BBC Radio 1. The song features Pharrell Williams and was produced by Mirwais. A music video began to shoot for "ADD SUV" starring both Uffie and Williams on April 9, 2010 and was released shortly before her debut album release. The single received extremely positive reviews from the New York Post,^[35] Prefix Magazine^[36] and Spin.^[37] Also, with so much anticipation around "ADD SUV", the song debuted at number one on The Hype Machine.^[38] Around this time, two new tracks from the upcoming album leaked, both "Ricky" and "Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans". It was also announced that "ADD SUV" would be released as an EP (including remixes by Armand Van Helden and Hudson Mohawke) on May 17, 2010, prior to Uffie's debut album release.^[39] "ADD SUV" charted at number six on the UK Independent Singles Chart.^[40]

Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans peaked at number seven on both the French Digital Albums Chart and the Belgian Heatseekers Albums Chart.^[41][42] It then stayed on the French Albums Chart for a total of 12 weeks.^[42] In the US, it reached number 17 on the Dance/Electronic Albums and number 32 on the Heatseekers Albums.^[43] It also peaked at number 18 on the UK Dance Albums Chart and number 31 on the UK Independent Albums Chart.^[44][45] Singles "MCs Can Kiss", "ADD SUV", "F1rst Love" and "Pop the Glock" also managed to chart in various countries such as France, Japan, Belgium and the UK.

Also in 2010, Uffie, who was originally studying to be a fashion designer in Paris, announced her partnership with clothing brand, Diesel to design a collection which is described as "12 pieces combining leather and denim with intriguing cuts and mixed materials" and will be available worldwide in November 2010.The collection had been designed by Uffie together with the Diesel Creative Team, under supervision by the company’s founder Renzo Rosso.^[14] Then DJ and long time friend Steve Aoki invited her, along with Kid Cudi, Lil Jon, Weezer and Sky Ferreira to provide vocals for an upcoming track on his next album, which should be out in 2011.^[46]

Ed Banger Records next confirmed through their Facebook page that Uffie's next single to be released would be, "Difficult" produced by Uffie's fellow labelmate and friend SebastiAn.^[47][48] It was later announced that "Difficult" would be released as an EP on October 18, 2010 through Ed Banger Records, Elektra Records and Because Music, containing remixes from SebastiAn and Azari & III. A music video for the single was released on October 6, 2010 and was directed byFrench filmmakers AB/CD/CD.^[49] The remix provided by SebastiAn, titled "2006 Parties Remix", was released to critical praise and reached number one on The Hype Machine the day of being released.^[50]

Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans was placed at number 35 on Drowned in Sound's list of the 50 best albums of 2010.^[11] The album was also included as one of the top albums of 2010 by several other publications, including CHARTattack,^[51] WBEZ,^[52] QRO Magazine,^[53] Indiana Daily Student,^[54] and WTSR,^[55] among others.

The Fred Falke remix of "Illusion of Love" was included on the soundtrack to the 2011 film Sucker Punch.^[56] Uffie's cover of Tom Tom Club's 1981 song "Wordy Rappinghood", produced by labelmate DJ Mehdi, was released digitally on April 18, 2011 through Ed Banger Records, Because Music and Elektra Records.^[57]

As of February 2012, Uffie is currently putting the finishing touches on her sophomore album, with the lead single being released early 2012.^[58] Producers on the album include Nathan from The Gossip and The Sound Of Arrows.

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans (2010)

EPs and singles[link]

• Pop the Glock/Ready to Uff (2006)
• "Hot Chick"/"In Charge" (2006)
• "F1rst Love" (2007)
• "Tthhee Ppaarrttyy" (Justice featuring Uffie) (2009)
• "Pop the Glock" (re-release) (2009)
• "MCs Can Kiss" (2010)
• "ADD SUV" (featuring Pharrell Williams) (2010)
• "Difficult" (2010)
• "Wordy Rappinghood" (2011)

Music videos[link]

• "Pop the Glock" directed by Nathalie Canguilhem (2009)
• "ADD SUV" directed by Nathalie Canguilhem (2010)
• "Difficult" directed by AB/CD/CD (2010)

Compilations[link]

• "Pop the Glock" on Ed Rec Vol. 1 (2006)
• "Dismissed" on Ed Rec Vol. 2 (2007)
• "Robot Oeuf" on Ed Rec Vol. 3 (2008)
• "Robot Oeuf" on Broken Embraces Soundtrack (2009)
• "Illusion of Love (Fred Falke Remix)" (Sucker Punch Soundtrack, 2011)

Collaborations[link]

• "Uffie & Me" (Feadz featuring Uffie) (Forward 4 EP, 2005)
• "Tthhee Ppaarrttyy" (Justice featuring Uffie) (†, 2007)
• "Body Bass (Curtis Vodka Blend Mix)" (2008)
• "Make it Hott" (Uffie vs Crystal Castles) (2008)
• "Fais Rentrer Les Euros" (M.I.T.C.H. featuring Uffie & Feadz) (2008)
• "Steroids" (Mr. Oizo featuring Uffie) (Lambs Anger, 2008)
• "That's What She Said" (Jin Akanishi featuring Uffie) (Sun Burns Down, 2012)

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Uffie

• Official website
• PIG Magazine Italy photo spread (her first cover) (05/2006)
• Interview with TMF prior to the release of her debut album

Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams performing with N.E.R.D in Pori Jazz 2010.
Background information
Also known as	Skateboard P, Pharrell, Sk8brd (mononym), Auto Goon
Born	(1973-04-05) April 5, 1973 (age 39)
Origin	Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States
Genres	Various
Occupations	Producer, musician, songwriter, singer, rapper, fashion designer
Instruments	Piano, keyboards, guitar, drums
Years active	1992–present
Labels	Star Trak, Interscope, i am Other
Associated acts	N.E.R.D, Chad Hugo, Clipse, Kelis, Snoop Dogg, Justin Timberlake, T.I, Lupe Fiasco, N.O.R.E., Child Rebel Soldier
Website	pharrellwilliams.com
Notable instruments
Piano, keyboards, drums

Pharrell Williams (born April 5, 1973), commonly known simply as Pharrell, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, composer, and fashion designer. Williams and Chad Hugo make up the record production duo The Neptunes, producing hip hop and R&B music. He is also the lead vocalist and drummer of hip-hop band N.E.R.D, which he formed with Hugo and childhood friend Shay Haley. He released his first single "Frontin'" in 2003 and followed up with his first album In My Mind in 2006.^[1]

As part of The Neptunes, Williams has produced numerous hit singles for various musicians.^[2] The two have earned three Grammy Awards amongst ten nominations. He is also the co-founder of the clothing brands Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream Clothing. He is a member of the supergroup V.A. Playaz with Fam-Lay, Clipse, Skillz, Missy Elliott, and Timbaland & Magoo.

Early life[link]

Pharrell Williams was born on April 5, 1973, in Virginia Beach, Virginia,^[3][4] the eldest of three sons of Carolyn, a teacher, and Pharaoh Williams, a handyman.^[5] He met Chad Hugo in a seventh-grade summer band camp where Williams played the keyboards and drums and Hugo played tenor saxophone. They were also both members of a marching band; Williams played the snare drum while Chad was student conductor.^[6][7] With Hugo, Williams attended Princess Anne High School where they played in the school band; there he got the name Skateboard P.^[8]

In the 1990s, Hugo and Williams formed a four-piece "R&B type" group, The Neptunes, with friends Shay Haley and Mike Etheridge. They later entered a high school talent show where they were discovered by Teddy Riley, whose studio was next to Princess Anne High School.^[9] After graduating from high school, the group signed with Riley.^[10]

Career[link]

1992–1997: Career beginnings[link]

Through working with Maddison Harper, Williams went on to write a verse for Wreckx-N-Effect's 1992 hit "Rump Shaker".^[11] That same year, he also performed a small rap solo on SWV's second hit, "Right Here (UK Remix)". In 1994, Hugo and Williams had established themselves as a production duo under their old name "The Neptunes", and produced "Tonight's The Night" from Blackstreet's self-titled album. Over the next three years they continued to produce occasionally. Some of the results had little resemblance to the Neptunes sound of today. However, some like Mase's 1997 song "Lookin' at Me" from his album Harlem World, and the most definite beginning of the distinctive "Neptunes sound", came with N.E.R.D's "Superthug" in 1998, reaching number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100, and gaining them widespread attention for the first time. In 1999, a friend introduced Pharrell to Kelis, they really vibed so the beginning result was producing her first album Kaleidoscope.

1998–2004: The Neptunes[link]

At this point The Neptunes were gaining a wide fanbase and audience. In 2001, The Neptunes produced Britney Spears' single, "I'm a Slave 4 U" gaining their first worldwide number one.^[12] The same year, N.E.R.D, consisting of Williams, Hugo and Haley, released their first album, In Search of..., in Europe, where the first Kelis album was better received. The album sounded very much like their previous production work; the group decided that they should make their work as N.E.R.D sound different, and re-recorded the album with the rock band Spymob. Williams and Hugo met rap duo Clipse in Virginia Beach in 1993, where they were signed to Arista Records through Williams' Star Trak Entertainment imprint.^[13][14]

Then in 2002 their re-produced album was released worldwide, and The Neptunes reached number one in the U.S. with Nelly's single, "Hot in Herre". In August of the same year, The Neptunes were named "Producers of the Year" at both The Source Awards and the Billboard Music Awards. Clipse released their commercial debut album Lord Willin' in August 2002. The album started at number one on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number four on the Billboard 200, fueled by its first two singles, "Grindin'" and "When the Last Time", which peaked at number 34 and number 19 respectively on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Neptunes released a self-credited album called The Neptunes Present... Clones in 2003, with songs and remixes from various artists. This topped the U.S. Billboard 200 Albums Chart. The Neptunes and Williams specifically were also kept in public eye largely due to ties with Jay-Z, producing several hit singles for him and two tracks on his The Black Album. The track "Frontin'" was a big hit (the 34th biggest of 2003 according to Billboard). A survey in August 2003 found the Neptunes produced almost 20 percent of songs played on British radio at the time, a survey in the US had them at 43 percent.^[6] The same year, The Neptunes remixed the Daft Punk song Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger for the duo's poorly-received remix album Daft Club. The track also had a brief rap section performed by Williams.^[15]

N.E.R.D's second funk rock-oriented album, Fly or Die, released in March 2004. Williams' rock credentials were further bolstered by his appearance at the 2004 Grammy Awards, performing The Beatles' "I Saw Her Standing There" on drums with Sting, Dave Matthews, and Vince Gill. Williams received two Grammy Awards that night, one for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, and another for Best Pop Vocal Album for his work on Justin Timberlake's hit album Justified. They also gained their first UK number one, again with Nelly, and Flap Your Wings.

2005–2009: First album and collaborations[link]

Williams and Astronaut Leland Melvin present a montage to Quincy Jones

On September 9, 2005, Williams performed the opening single from his first solo album In My Mind, "Can I Have It Like That", featuring Gwen Stefani. The single did poorly in the US, reaching only number 48. It fared better in the UK, reaching number three. Between then and the July 25, 2006 release of "In My Mind", he released "Angel" (in Europe only), and later "Number One" with Kanye West. Several songs leaked to the internet before the album release, most notably "Mamacita" featuring Daddy Yankee, which was subsequently cut from the final version. "That Girl" featuring Snoop Dogg was the final single.

In 2006, Williams, with Chad Hugo, produced Clipse's second album Hell Hath No Fury. Most critics labeled the album Williams's best production in years, and put the duo back in the charts.^[16] A year later, Williams collaborated with Madonna, on the song "Hey You", which was available for download on the MSN website. 25 cents for each of the first one million downloads was donated to the Alliance for Climate Protection, in support of Live Earth.^[17] Later that year, Williams performed songs at the Concert for Diana on July 1, 2007. Then, on July 7, 2007, he performed at the Brazilian leg of Live Earth in Rio de Janeiro.

A second album, titled Out of My Mind, was recorded with his newly formed band "The Yessirs" featuring Questlove of The Roots. However, Williams' record label did not think that a companion album to the first would sell well.^[18] He also produced Beyoncé's version of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend". He then wrote and produced "Why Should I Be Sad" on Britney Spears' fifth studio album, Blackout. He also produced two songs from The Hives album, The Black and White Album, titled "Well All Right!" and "T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S.".

In April 2008, Madonna released her eleventh album, Hard Candy, which featured vocals from Williams and production from The Neptunes on several tracks. In June, an article in NME revealed that Williams was very interested in producing The Strokes' fourth album.^[19] Later that year, Williams worked on a remix album for Maroon 5's Call & Response.^[20]

Williams continued working with a variety of artists, including Shakira on the songs 'Did It Again', 'Why Wait', 'Good Stuff' and 'Long Time' for her sixth studio album, She Wolf. ^[21] In September 2009, Williams was credited as a co-writer and producer of the song "Fresh Out the Oven" for Jennifer Lopez.^[22] It was released as a buzz single from Lopez's seventh studio album Love? The following month, Williams made a guest appearance on French indie/electronic rapper Uffie's first album, which arrived in early 2010.^[23] In late 2009, Williams worked with the rapper Game on his fourth studio album, The R.E.D. Album.

2010–present[link]

In July 2010, Williams composed one of the soundtracks^{[dubious – discuss]} in the movie Despicable Me at the Hollywood Studio Symphony.^{[citation needed]} In October 2010, Williams and his group N.E.R.D supported Gorillaz on their Escape to Plastic Beach World Tour. On the tour, Damon Albarn recorded a song on his iPad with Williams but this was not featured on Gorillaz's album, The Fall, but it may appear on a future album.^[15] In late 2011, Williams worked on three tracks for Mike Posner's second album Sky High.^[24] In 2011, Williams collaborated with singer/composer Adam Lambert, co-writing two tracks for Lambert's album "Trespassing", which was released in May of 2012, including the title track and "Kickin' In".

In 2012, It was announced on Lupe Fiasco's website that he and Lupe will work on a collaborative album and work on Waka Flocka Flame's album Triple F Life: Friends, Fans and Family.^{[citation needed]}

Williams composed and produced the music for the 84th Academy Awards with composer Hans Zimmer.^[25]

2012: Pharrell is now collaborating with teen pop sensation, Miley Cyrus on her new album which is set for a release this year, with a single dropping this summer. Miley's new album has a slick genre of pop/hip-hop and R&B.

Musical style[link]

Pharrell did music for the Universal film Despicable Me. The film makers liked his genre of music for the movie. Williams has encompassed a broad range of genres, including hip hop, R&B, pop, rock, and funk.^[3][26] His lyrics often pertain to his childhood, family, religious faith and sexuality.^[27] In the review of Seeing Sounds by N.E.R.D, Christian Hoard of Rolling Stone said he learned nothing from his lyrics except that Williams was sexually aroused.^[28]

Williams has stated that he does not have any direct influences,^[29] but has expressed his admiration of several musicians, including Michael Jackson, J Dilla, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, Rakim and Q-Tip.^[29][30] Williams explained that A Tribe Called Quest's 1990 album, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, caused a "turning point" in his life, which "made me see that music was art".^[30] His style of production includes very unusual sounds, which give a feeling of being extra terrestrial. His beats have heavy percussions and synths.

Business ventures[link]

Williams met Nigo, a Japanese record producer and creator of the clothing line A Bathing Ape, in Japan and bonded^[vague] through similar interests, where they began working together on their fashion lines.^[4] Williams later co-founded the clothing brands Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream Footwear. He has a store in New York City. In 2008, he co-designed a series of jewelry ("Blason") and glasses for Louis Vuitton.^[31] He has also worked on furniture with Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin and a French manufacturer, Domeau & Pérès. One of his works, a molded plastic seat with human legs, was created because he "wanted to know what it was like to be in love." The chair depicts a sexual scene with a pair of female legs and male legs.^[32]

In 2009 Williams unveiled a collaborative sculpture with Takashi Murakami at Art Basel, which spoke to the metaphor of value.^[33]

In 2010 Williams founded Kidult, a news and entertainment website for teens. Inspired by his young fans, Williams believed they deserved a website that respected their intelligence and covered their diverse interests—from science to fashion.

In May 2011 it was announced that Williams would serve as Creative Director of Karmaloop TV alongside founder and CEO Greg Selkoe and former AMC (TV channel) president Katie McEnroe.^[34]

On August 1, 2011, Williams launched his new record label, i am Other.^[35]

Personal life[link]

In 2005 Williams was voted "Best Dressed Man in the World" by Esquire.^[36] He is a fan of the science fiction series Star Trek,^[37] as indicated by his consistent use of the Vulcan salute to signify his label name, Star Trak. He also enjoys the works of the late astronomer and science lecturer Carl Sagan, whom he calls "a genius".^[38] Williams is a skateboarder and has a half-pipe inside his home.^[39] In April 2009, Williams underwent a skin procedure for tattoo removal.^[40]

Discography[link]

Pharrell and Lupe Fiasco are currently working on a collaboration album set to be released sometime in 2012.^[41]

TBA (with Lupe Fiasco) (2012)

Awards and nominations[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Pharrell Williams

• Official website
• Pharrell Williams at the Internet Movie Database